The fight against childhood obesity has gained new allies. Some 15,000 restaurants from 19 chains have agreed to offer low-calorie, lower-fat meals for children and adults.

ByChloe Stepney, ContributorJuly 13, 2011

Paola Beldran eats a healthy choice meal at a south Miami Burger King on Tuesday, July 12. 19 large restaurant chains – including Burger King, Chili's, IHOP and Friendly's – announced Wednesday that they will add healthier options to their children's menus. At least 15,000 restaurant locations will focus on increasing servings of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low fat dairy.

When walking into a restaurant, which governs your food choices: taste or nutrition? How about your kids’ choices?

In an effort to increase healthy options for consumers – especially children – 19 restaurant chains have pledged to offer meals that follow strict dietary guidelines, as part of a new initiative from the National Restaurant Association and Healthy Dining.

Nationwide, an estimated 10 percent of infants and toddlers are overweight, in addition to nearly 20 percent of 2- to 5-year-olds who are overweight or obese, according to the National Institute of Medicine.

Parents control the food choices for young kids, says Susan Babey, who researches fast food and dietary behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles. “But parents can experience a lot of pressure – particularly when they’re out in public, and their kids express a particular desire.”

Marketing that promotes healthy choices could make all the difference, she suggests.

A full kid’s meal (entrée, side, and drink) must include two food groups without topping 600 calories.

A side of 200 calories or less must be one full serving of a fruit, vegetable, whole grain, lean protein, or lower-fat dairy.

Neither the entrée nor side can exceed specified levels of sugar or sodium, or calories from total fat, saturated fat, or trans fat.

Burger King will offer a 4-piece chicken tender meal with fat-free milk and BK Fresh Apple Fries. That provides one serving each of fruit and dairy for 350 total calories, fitting it tidily within the guidelines.

But there’s more to healthy eating than fewer calories, cautions Kate Scarlata, a dietician and co-author of Real People Need Real Food: A Guide to Healthy Eating for Families Living in a Fast Food World.

“Sometimes this can be confusing for customers,” Ms. Scarlata says. “You put this healthy food jargon out there – but define ‘healthy’.”

She thinks that a 600-calorie standard is high, and that the levels of sodium and sugar in the dietary requirements are still too generous.

“I can certainly applaud any organization or restaurant that provides better nutrition for children,” Scarlata says. “I just don’t want parents to go in and think Burger King has healthy options. It’s improved.”